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Monthly Archives: August 2016

  1. Cool Operator - Oil Cooler R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    Cool Operator - Oil Cooler R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    While we plan to create an entire line of cooling products for the RS, some require more immediate attention than others. The oil cooler is shaping up to be one of these items. With a stock cooler that's less than adequate, and oil temps on track days that could make Chuck Norris sweat, we have a problem brewing.

    Stock System

    The stock oil cooler is a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and therefore relies on the radiator to cool the oil, as well as the coolant. This style of oil cooler also acts as an oil warmer, bringing the oil to operating temperature, which is beneficial for colder climates. I know with the heat wave that is currently engulfing a large portion of the country, not many of us are concerned with the oil reaching temperature; but in the dead of winter, it can certainly be helpful.

    Stock Focus RS oil cooler
    Stock Focus RS oil cooler

    As you can see below, coolant is supplied via the two lines connected to the right side of the cooler. Of course with every liquid-to-liquid cooler pro, there is a con.

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  2. Eliminating the Eyesore - Expansion Tank R&D, Part 3: Test Fit

    Eliminating the Eyesore - Expansion Tank R&D, Part 3: Test Fit

    Welcome, Camaro enthusiasts, to the latest progress report on our 2016 Camaro coolant expansion tank. I know that it's been a little while since our last update, but as Santa Claus my mother always told 8-year-old me when I'd ask for a Power Wheels car: Good things come to those who wait. I'm still patiently waiting, but fortunately you don't have to.

    That coulda been ME!
    That coulda been ME!

    We've been very hard at work on these 2016 Camaro parts and numerous other projects, some of which have presented exceptionally unique, unexpected challenges.  For example, take a look at our 2016+ Camaro 2.0T Catch Can R&D. See what I mean?

    Expanding on the Stock Design

    Now this project is not without its challenges, either. As we examined in our opening post, the 2016 Camaro coolant expansion tank, despite the term we use to refer to it, is much more than just an expansion tank. With the top part of the tank comprising a pressurized expansion enclosure that works as an integrated part of the cooling system, and the

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  3. Baby You're an Aux Rad - Auxiliary Radiator R&D, Part 3: 3D Print Test Fit

    Baby You're an Aux Rad - Auxiliary Radiator R&D, Part 3: 3D Print Test Fit

    2016+ Camaro Auxiliary Radiator Discounted Pre-Sale has begun!

    When we left off last time, I teased you a bit with a couple of 3D models representing the possible directions in which we might be taking the Mishimoto Camaro SS auxiliary radiator design. We have continued the discussion among our engineering team and have not yet come to a conclusion on how to proceed. We have, however, taken action to explore both options in greater depth.

    We felt that fitment and compatibility with stock radiator ducting is definitely one of this project's more important considerations, so we wanted to get an idea of how the two designs compared in this regard; the more information we can gather, the better! We hit up our trusty 3D printer to give us something to throw behind the menacing front end of our SS for a test fit.

    IMG_9262

    Wait, two radiators? Two designs? I'm confused.

    That's OK, I was too! Let me explain"

    For those of you who are just joining us, the 2016 Camaro SS has a very unique cooling system

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  4. Cooling the Camaro - Radiator R&D, Part 3: Prototype Photos

    Cooling the Camaro - Radiator R&D, Part 3: Prototype Photos

    Hey everyone! I know it's been a little while since our last post, but that's because we've been so busy working on this 2016 Camaro SS radiator and our numerous other active projects. However, I come bearing good news!

    You may remember from our second 2016 Camaro radiator post that I mentioned we would be back in the next installment with 3D-printed prototypes. Things change, however, and I'm happy to say that we've made some quick progress on this radiator, so I'm going to do one better than promised and cut straight to ACTUAL prototypes.

    That's right folks, what you are about to see is the real deal!

    Photos

    This radiator has some interesting complexities in its design, largely due to the extensively engineered and very impressive cooling system on this car. To learn more about the radiator's role and how it functions in the context of the auxiliary cooling system, check out our auxiliary Camaro radiator post.

    Let's get to the good stuff! Here's the radiator from the front.

    2016 Camaro SS radiator
    2016 Camaro
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  5. Mission In-pipe-sible - Intercooler Piping R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    Mission In-pipe-sible - Intercooler Piping R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    This hot hatch is heating up our headquarters! We have several projects in the works, so if you have not had a chance to check them out, you can do so on the Focus RS section of our engineering blog.

    Stock Focus RS intercooler piping
    Stock Focus RS intercooler piping

    Often, one of the first modifications to turbocharged vehicles is the intercooler. However, this time we wanted to give the spotlight to its lesser known siblings, the intercooler piping. If you have not yet had a chance to take a look under the hood of your Focus RS, we'll save you the trouble; it's tight in there. Not the best news for those of us who aim to squeeze every bit of power out of our RS. Increasing the flow to the turbo via the piping has power potential, after all.

    Stock Focus RS intercooler piping
    Stock Focus RS intercooler piping

    The stock piping is complex in shape and constructed of plastic and rubber couplers. Overall there are eight connection points in this set of piping. The cold-side piping is fairly short, but the hot-side piping is nearly triple the length, extending

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  6. It's Only Cool'n' Oil (but your SS likes it) - Oil Cooler R&D, Part 3: Pre-Sale

    It's Only Cool'n' Oil (but your SS likes it) - Oil Cooler R&D, Part 3: Pre-Sale

    Interested in purchasing our 2016+ Camaro SS Oil Cooler in silver or black? The discounted Pre-Sale continues here!

    Mishimoto's 2016 Camaro SS Oil Cooler Pre-Sale

    As the summer drags unremittingly further into the humid, heavy annals of August, it continues to push our air conditioners to the very cusp of their abilities, and I can't help but to dream of cooler weather. I will certainly miss the summer, but a break from the hellish bake of these past few weeks will certainly be welcomed.

    It's pretty safe to say there's not a whole lot that your Camaro likes about this weather. The joy of being on the road notwithstanding, this persistent heat does not otherwise make your car very happy. However, we want your Camaro to enjoy what's left of summer; that's why we have recently released a Mishimoto 2016 Camaro oil cooler for your SS, and the discounted pre-sale continues!

    Refresher: The Data       

    Mishimoto Oil Cooler inlet/outlet temps vs. stock oil temps
    Mishimoto Oil Cooler inlet/outlet temps vs. stock oil temps (click to enlarge)

    For those of

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  7. Mishimoto+Hoonigan: Together at Last - The Story of the World's Greatest Oil Cap

    Mishimoto+Hoonigan: Together at Last - The Story of the World's Greatest Oil Cap

    Order your Hoonigan Oil Cap today! 

    When two independent entities combine their shared strengths with their individual specialties to produce something new, the result is often a product that embodies greatness of a magnitude even grander than that of the parties whence it came - just ask my parents (kidding, Mom and Dad!). Joking aside, we call this effect synergy, and here are a few renowned examples:

    • Peanut Butter and Jelly
    • Snoop and Dr. Dre
    • Disney and Pixar
    • Jobs and Wozniak
    • LS Motors and any chassis ever

    You get the idea. Anyway, you might be wondering where I'm going with this (unless you were enterprising enough to read the title), but I am excited to share with you the newest addition to the above list of greats: Mishimoto is partnering up with Hoonigan to produce some products that are sure to be far more influential and ass-kicking than anything else by those listed above, and that includes Finding Nemo.

    No, we are not making an autonomous, tire-shredding gymkhana vehicle (yet!).

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  8. What's cooler than bein' cool?- Intercooler R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    What's cooler than bein' cool?- Intercooler R&D, Part 1: Stock Review

    Team Mishi is hard at work developing an entire line of cooling upgrades for our RS. Up to bat is one of the more popular modifications for turbo cars: the intercooler.

    Stock Focus RS intercooler
    Stock Focus RS intercooler

    The stock Focus RS intercooler is an interesting part of this hot hatch. As soon as images of the striking front end of this car surfaced on the interwebs, many noticed that there was a black plate blocking off a portion of the intercooler, and immediately called it out. Ford explained that the intercooler was too efficient and that, in humid climates, the excess efficiency caused condensation within the intake tract.

    Stock Focus RS intercooler
    Stock Focus RS intercooler

    Stock Focus RS intercooler
    Stock Focus RS intercooler

    Although we had been warned, like any horsepower-hungry enthusiast, our first thought was how to get rid of this plate. After having a closer look at the block-off, we found that it is not permanently affixed to the intercooler. It is a small piece of plastic attached to the front of the intercooler with a strong adhesive. It can

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  9. Help Me Ronda, Help Me Get 'er Outta My Intake - Catch Can R&D, Part 2: Testing for Blow-by

    Help Me Ronda, Help Me Get 'er Outta My Intake - Catch Can R&D, Part 2: Testing for Blow-by

    Last time, in the first Camaro 2.0T catch can R&D post, we learned a little bit about blow-by, the CCV system, and how a catch can serves to prolong the life of your Camaro. If you need a refresher, we have a technical article all about why blow-by is terrible for your engine. We left off with Steve setting up his testing rig, but I want to go into a bit more detail on what exactly we wanted to test.

    Test Prep

    As we discovered in the first post, the OEM system appears to have three different CCV valves. On further investigation, we found that these three valves comprise two separate systems. One system features two CCV valves on the valve cover that connect at a T-joint and run to the intake. The other system connects the remaining CCV valve on the timing cover to the inlet side of the turbo.

    Our custom gauge pod makes it easy to monitor vacuum and pressure from the cabin.
    Our custom gauge pod makes it easy to monitor vacuum and pressure from the cabin.

    In order to determine exactly how these systems operate, the important thing to understand is when they respectively

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  10. Working on a Cooler Coyote- Oil Cooler R&D, Part 4: Testing

    Working on a Cooler Coyote- Oil Cooler R&D, Part 4: Testing

    In our last post we took a look at the fabrication of our all-new bar-and-plate oil cooler designed specifically for this project. Now that we have our coolers complete, it is on to testing. We will test our large bar-and-plate cooler, our small bar-and-plate cooler, and our traditional-style 19-row cooler. This will allow us to compare the effectiveness of our new design to the excellent heat exchangers we already offer.

    Testing

    We installed each version and gave them a chance to show us what they could do in not one, but two arenas of performance. Round 1 Fight!

    Contenders:

    • 19-Row Mishimoto Oil Cooler
    • Small cross-flow bar-and-plate cooler
    • Small dual-pass bar-and-plate cooler
    • Large cross-flow bar-and-plate cooler
    • Large dual-pass bar-and-plate cooler

    We hooked up our 19-row cooler to our GT, as well as our all new bar-and-plate coolers, both large and small, and let them duke it out.

    Prototype Mustang parts installed for testing
    Prototype Mustang parts installed for testing

    Mustang oil cooler prototype installed for testing
    Mustang oil cooler prototype installed for testing

    Mustang Oil Cooler testing
    Mustang
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